CFA and Coastguard Volunteers were on show at the Australia Day Parade held in Melbourne yesterday morning.
A total of 35 CFA members including 7 Coastguard and 3 CFA pipers proudly united to fly CFA’s/Coastguard inaugural involvement in the Emergency Services Section of the Parade.
CFA Volunteers travelling long distances to participate in the Parade came from as far away as Kerang, Thoona, Jung, Bochara, Bruthen, Hamilton, Terang, Colac, Nhill, and Toongabbie. Volunteers closer to Melbourne came from Langwarrin, Noble Park, Phillip Island, Hilldene, Kinglake, Mt Evelyn, Doreen and Leonard’s Hill and District, Heathcote and Seville.
CFA parade participant, Ron Barford from Phillip Island Brigade, made an impact with the Herald Sun on Wednesday’s edition on page 4 where he featured in a photo with other volunteers. Ron was recently awarded the Chief Officers Commendation in recognition of the courage shown by him and two other members of his brigade at a house fire in Cowes last May.
Up front leading the CFA contingent was Georgia Nagorcka from Bochara Brigade and proudly flying the CFA Flag was John Dolk from Hilldene Brigade along with Coastguard’s Robert Oglivie.
CFA were ably led by its resident CFA Bagpipe Band - Operations Officer Malcolm Bruce, Operations Officer Stuart Curnow and ex CFA staffer and volunteer with Montrose Mick Ryan. This is the first time that the three members were together performing on such a significant day which gave an added attraction to our Members marching. All were very popular with the crowd and many photos were taken of our wonderful CFA pipers with members of the community before and after the Parade.
Hundreds of colourful community and multicultural groups marched in the Parade in the light rain. The Parade commenced from the corner of Swanston and Bourke Streets after the Flag Raising Ceremony at the Melbourne Town Hall and concluded at the Kings Domain Gardens. Dignitaries at the Ceremony included the His Excellency the Honourable Alex Chernov AC QC, Governor of Victoria, Premier Daniel Andrews and Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle.
There were loud cheers and clapping from the crowds lining the streets when CFA members proudly walked along Swanston Street and into St Kilda Road. The reaction to our members was overwhelming and made us all feel very proud of our organisation and the work that we voluntarily do for the State of Victoria. Our generous volunteers also handed out the Australian Flags that we were presented with by the Parade Organisers to members of the audience along the route.
After the Parade, those volunteers that were able to join us for lunch enjoyed a very tasty Australia Day BBQ lunch prepared by the Monbulk Fire Brigade on the banks of Lakeside Drive at Burwood East before tackling the long drive home.
Thank you so much to our wonderful volunteers that joined us on this auspicious occasion. We enjoyed having you represent CFA on this special day.
Author: Roz Long